Some Training Advise Please - Page 1

I have two female German Shepherds (4 years and 18months old) and they are a joy to own until they go out for a walk.  They are fine off their lead and will return at recall UNLESS they see another dog and will ignore recall and go in for attack.  I currently am walking them on the lead and with muzzles but would love to be able to let them have a run.  We decided to take them to training and have had a quote for one on one training with them for £400.  I'm happy to pay it if it means that we can let them off their leads.  Does anyone think this is a lot? and is the solution something we could train ourselves to sort without needing a qualified trainer?  Thanks for any advise.

Regards

how about group session with local dog obedience classes? it will cost you a fraction and may work...if not you can always dish out 400...i personally would try cheaper way out first, your dogs may surprise you.

I did think about this course of action but their aggression towards other dogs makes me worried for others safety. They have no aggression to humans but would worry that someone would get in the way.

You need to fix the problem with the dogs individually first.  Seek out someone in your area that knows how to deal with aggressive dogs.  Learn good tight obedience control both on and off lead in a controlled environment first.  Then learn to work them together, in brace so to speak after you have gained some control and respect.  When you walk them together they have the strength advantage and they know it.  They should not be walking in front of you when another animal approaches. 

Unlike the bad information given out earlier, YOU SHOULD NOT TRY AND DO THIS ON YOUR OWN. Seek out the opinions of a professional who understands dog aggression.  Think of it this way, just because you know how to change the oil in your car, it doesn't mean you are a certified mechanic.

Until you fix this problem, it would be very irresponsible and selfish not to mention dangerous, to walk these dogs in public without leashes, IMO.

I've had some very obedient dogs, but I would never think of allowing them unleashed in public around unknown dogs. You can certainly improve their obedience, but never think that they will be 100% reliable, no matter much time or money you throw at it.

It does seem an extortionate price and I personally wouldn't go with it. You could most likely end up just wasting the money with no result to show for it.

Have you not considered walking them seperately, on a flexi lead, as it may be that they are feeding of of each other when it comes to their actions when together. Then you would have the oppourtunity of walking without using a muzzle and also have the opportunity of maintaining control were she to rush at another dog. If you take a distraction like a toy or ball out with you, or even treats, then you could reward positive responses when you call for her attention when there are other dogs in the vicinity. Hopefully over time they will associate seeing other dogs as a pleasurable thing.

Please note though that these are only my own thoughts and ideas, and like others have said it would be recommended to ask the advice of experts in this field.

I stopped reading the previous comment when I got to the words "flexi lead".  Aggression and flexi leads shouldn't be used in the same sentence.

I agree, but the rest of Dex advice was excellent wasnt it ?     Dont stop reading posts when you get to one little thing.  My feeling n flexi leads, is that it actually teaches dogs to pull, as they are waiting for that click of the button that allows them freedom, so they naturally wait for it and keep pulling to get it... however, Dex ideas are spot on in other ways.  We KNOW this works, but better done with help to start off on the right way Mo.

Sorry - I know flexi-leads are controversial. I just thought it may give the dog some freedom whilst at the same time allowing control to be kept. I don't advocate letting a dog charge out only to be lifted off it's feet at the last moment but used in the right manner I think they have benefits. If the dog charges out any time they see another dog in the distance then it would be no use. I can only say from my experience that it gave me, personally, the security when I used it, as one of my dogs had a thing about chasing other animals (not dogs) that would appear when out on walks. Being on a flexi-lead allowed him to move more freedom while I still had control. In the end he behaves much better now as I built up some 'distance' control with the lead so even if he is off now I am more confident in being able to stop him or call him back.